MORRIS QUITS ROLLS-ROYCE

LONDON - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' chief executive Graham Morris resigned suddenly at the end of a bizarre week.

Morris told other Rolls executives about his decision just 48 hours after VW and BMW split the Rolls and Bentley brands. He said he was quitting on principle because he had assured workers that production of Rolls-Royce models would remain in Crewe, UK.

In 2003, Rolls assembly and the name will move, and Crewe will become the Bentley Motor Car Co.

'He is a very principled guy,' said a Rolls-Royce executive who asked not to be named. 'He kept telling the workforce, 1/8Don't worry, fellows, some things won't change.' '

Rolls insiders say Morris was also unhappy because he was kept in the dark about last week's maneuvering.

Morris worked for Audi and Rover before moving to Rolls 16 months ago. He began a vacation last week after telling colleagues he would leave following a few months of transition to the new owner, VW.